Mauricio Pochettino told his Tottenham players to enjoy playing against Lionel Messi.

Sadly for Pochettino, they will look back upon facing the world’s greatest player as their worst nightmare.

This was one of those “I was there” moments, a true privilege to watch a genius at work as Messi single-handedly destroyed Tottenham and left their Champions League campaign in tatters.

Messi was majestic, magical and marvellous all rolled into one, scoring twice and playing a part in Barcelona’s other two goals in what must go down as one of his greatest shows in a breathless European classic.

And perhaps the most incredible part of the game was that Tottenham did not end up being humiliated which was purely down to their remarkable never-say-die spirit.

But you have to wonder if Harry Kane regrets saying that one day he aims to outscore Messi. Kane had the temerity to score so Messi just went down the other end and got one himself.

Messi turned in one of his most magical displays (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Messi was untouchable, his jinking dribbles saw him glide through the Tottenham defence as if they were not there as Pochettino’s men could not get near enough to admire him.

You had to credit Tottenham for their fight and character and the way they refused to give up and they even had Barcelona hanging on at times.

But that determination will only get you so far because Tottenham are now in serious danger of going out at the first hurdle after back-to-back Champions League Group defeats.

This season promised so much but Pochettino now faces a huge uphill battle to get through to the knock-out phase and an early European exit would really be a huge blow to their season.

Maybe it is their failure to invest in the squad last summer as, without five injured first team regulars, they looked as ragged and bare as the Wembley pitch.

The grass looked as if it had gone 12 rounds with Anthony Joshua as Wembley staged the boxing ten days ago and had simply not had time to recover. But what a comedown if Tottenham’s new stadium ends up hosting Thursday night football in the Europa League.

It is always a daunting gauge to be measured against Barcelona but Pochettino will know that far too many of his players looked daunted and intimidated by the whole occasion.

Defensively they were a shambles, a complete mess, and it started from the back when Hugo Lloris, rushed back from injury, went AWOL on Barcelona’s opening goal after just 95 seconds.

Messi - obviously - started the move, Jordi Alba pulled the ball back and Philippe Coutinho drilled the ball into the net with Tottenham keeper Lloris stranded in no man’s land.

After 28 minutes, Barcelona went ahead through one of the great Wembley goals which on another night would have been the story. But almost paled into significance because of Messi’s magic.

Messi lofted a ball forward, Luis Suarez - unlike the Spurs defence - refused to give up the chase and pulled the ball back for Ivan Rakitic to spectacularly volley home from the edge of the box. The whole of Wembley just gasped in awe.

Tottenham deserve credit for fighting back as Kane led the charge, Erik Lamela drove forward and Harry Winks was comfortably their best player with a performance deserving of an England recall.

Twice Messi made the same carbon copy run, dribbling forward and then hitting the post. It was incredible. But after an incredible let-off, Tottenham somehow clawed their way back into the contest after 52 minutes.

Kane was brilliant as he turned Nelson Semedo inside out and then curled a brilliant shot into the far corner. But four minutes later, Messi restored Barcelona’s two goal lead as he fired home Alba’s cross after Coutinho and Suarez both dummied the ball with choreographed perfection.

But that cushion only lasted ten minutes. Tottenham, again showing spirit which defied their overall performance, scored again to make it 3-2 after Lamela’s shot was horribly deflected into the net off Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet.

It set up a grandstand finish as Tottenham pushed and pushed for an equaliser which their overall performance barely deserved. But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Tottenham’s defence had gone walkabouts again and Alba’s cross found Messi unmarked who coolly slotted past Lloris.

It was fitting that Messi had the final say because the night belonged to him and, as disappointed as Spurs fans were, they at least witnessed a great European night.